PETG
Easy to printA versatile default for shop-floor parts, housings, and general-purpose tooling. Good durability and easy processing.
Nozzle230-250 °C
Bed70-90 °C
In-House 3D Printing for Manufacturing
Go from CAD to physical part in hours. Start with prototypes and tooling, then scale your materials and throughput as production demands.
Engineering
Validate prototypes in 12-24 hours
Production
Build jigs and fixtures with no MOQ
Materials
Cover daily parts with production-ready polymers
Security
Keep slicing and production workflows in-house
Request Manufacturing Quote
Browse 3D printersNo commitment, practical deployment advice
Large installations at
Proof That In-house Printing Delivers
Verified outcomes from manufacturing and R&D deployments.
13,000
Car delays prevented
Škoda Auto bypassed parts shortages with printed covers to keep lines moving.
50%
Sensor costs cut
Knorr-Bremse halved costs by printing durable replacement cases for train sensors.
100 hours
Labor saved per aircraft
SHARK.AERO cut manual assembly by printing over 100 functional parts per airplane.
10–15%
Printed end-use parts
Up to 15% of components in Lyotrade's freeze-drying machines are 3D-printed.
2 Days to Hours
Machining time bypassed
EDS Robotics replaced days of machining with same-day testing of printed parts.
€10k+
Annual savings
A rapid 3D-printed prototype unlocked over €10,000 in annual savings for Škoda Auto.
How Successful Teams Adopt 3D Printing
Don't try to print everything on day one. The most effective deployments follow a logical curve: prove the business case first, embed it into daily operations, and scale only when demand requires it.
Phase 1: Prove the Value Quickly
Start with the lowest-hanging fruit: rapid prototypes and simple jigs. Eliminate engineering wait times and demonstrate immediate ROI without disrupting your existing processes.
Phase 2: Support Daily Operations
Once the first wins are clear, expand into a dependable daily workflow. Give maintenance and production teams on-demand access to custom parts to cut reliance on external suppliers.
Phase 3: Scale for Continuous Production
When internal demand outgrows a single machine, shift your focus to throughput. Transition to a structured print farm to make output repeatable, centralized, and ready for continuous 24/7 production.
CERN Uses 3D printing Where Off-the-shelf Solutions Do Not Exist
At CERN, teams build and maintain highly specialized scientific equipment. Because custom parts are the rule rather than the exception, they operate several print farms of Prusa 3D printers. It helps engineers turn one-off requirements into physical components quickly, without waiting on external suppliers.
Custom parts for technical workflows
Engineers at CERN design and produce specialized sensors, control systems, and accelerators to measure and adjust the positions of large magnets. Because even minor geological movements can disrupt the alignment of the collider, the team relies on stretched wires and highly precise sensor arrays. 3D printing enables the rapid creation of these complex, customized components, including polycarbonate parts installed directly in the tunnel, which would be difficult or impossible to produce using traditional machining methods.
Faster iteration for research support
When a component needs to be tested in context, in-house printing facilitates rapid prototyping and iterative design improvements. It is crucial during the testing phase to ensure the reliability of tools, reducing costs by minimizing the need for expensive materials.
A fit for rapid problem-solving
The technology allows teams to quickly solve operational bottlenecks. For instance, in the CLEAR accelerator project, a 3D printed robotic solution was developed to enable efficient, safe sample swapping without interrupting the radiation beam.
““3D printing makes complex tasks much simpler.””
Real Manufacturing Problems Solved by 3D Printing
Start with the use cases that deliver the fastest payoff: prototyping, tooling, end-use parts, and spare parts.
Rapid Prototyping
Turn CAD into a physical part the same day. Engineers can validate fit, function, and assembly faster, without waiting on vendors or machining capacity.
Jigs, Fixtures, and Tooling
Build custom manufacturing aids in days instead of weeks. 3D printing is ideal for lightweight, low-cost tools tailored to your exact workflow.
End‑use and Production Parts
For small and medium series, 3D printing can produce final parts directly. It works especially well where geometry is complex, volumes are lower, or customization matters.
On‑demand Spare Parts
Replace slow-moving inventory with a digital part library. Print replacement components exactly when needed to speed up repairs, bypass supply chain disruptions, and avoid costly machine downtime.
What to Check Before You Buy a 3D Printer for Manufacturing
Do not choose a printer by specs alone. Choose one your team can run reliably, support internally, and justify as part of day-to-day operations.
Can it run reliably under daily manufacturing workloads?
A manufacturing printer should produce consistent results without constant tuning, supervision, or unpredictable downtime.
Does it support the materials you actually need?
Look for practical material coverage for your real jobs: everyday prototypes, stronger engineering parts, heat-resistant parts, or safety-oriented applications.
Does it fit your IT and security requirements?
Many teams need to keep CAD files, slicing, and production data in-house. Offline-capable workflows matter in real manufacturing environments.
Can your team maintain it without drama?
Low downtime depends on documented maintenance, replaceable wear parts, and support that understands business-critical urgency.
Can engineers and technicians use it quickly?
A good business setup should help non-specialists get useful parts fast, without needing a dedicated additive expert from day one.
Will the economics make sense on the shop floor?
The printer has to work operationally as well as technically: reasonable material costs, low running costs, and a clear ROI on the first useful applications.
Choose Your Next Step
The right setup depends on what you need first. Start with what solves your most immediate problem, then move into larger systems, tougher materials, or structured farm workflows when real demand requires it.
Deploy the Prusa CORE One
A fully enclosed, high-speed CoreXY system designed for advanced engineering materials. It brings industrial-grade reliability, active temperature control, and offline-capable operation directly to your workshop.
Automated Farm Systems
AFS is Prusa's automated farm system for teams that need structured 24/7 output, centralized management, and a more production-oriented additive workflow once one printer is no longer enough.
The ROI of In-House 3D Printing
Most B2B buyers do not need a perfect spreadsheet first. They need a clear way to estimate when in-house printing will pay back.
- Target the parts you outsource most often: prototypes, jigs, fixtures, and spare parts.
- Compare external spend, lead times, and downtime costs against in-house materials.
- Seco Tool's rapid 3D-printed prototype unlocked €10,000 in annual savings for Škoda Auto.
Software
PrusaSlicer is free and open-source.
$0/year
Electricity
Power use is modest compared to traditional shop equipment.
~$45/year
Consumables
One spool of industrial PETG or ASA can replace multiple outsourced prototype revisions or custom brackets.
$20-30/kg
Maintenance
Prusa systems are designed to be serviceable in-house.
Low
A simple model works:monthly outsourcing savings + downtime avoided + engineering hours saved - monthly in-house printing cost. For many teams, one avoided supplier delay can justify the printer, and one successful tooling optimization creates a much clearer business case than a generic ROI spreadsheet.
“I see more and more people in the railway industry looking into 3D printing. And for good reason!”
Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems Denmark reduces obsolescence by using 3D printing to repair or replace train parts that are no longer available. By printing durable cases for oil burner sensors using self-extinguishing Prusament PETG V0, the team successfully meets strict safety certifications and cuts overall component replacement costs by half.
LA
Match the Material to Your Manufacturing Application
A targeted selection of industrial polymers proven to handle real shop-floor applications: from everyday fixtures to heat-resistant functional parts.
ASA
ModerateGreat for functional parts exposed to heat, sunlight, or more demanding workshop environments.
Nozzle250-265 °C
Bed100-110 °C
PC Blend CF
AdvancedFor stronger engineering parts where stiffness and thermal resistance matter more than print simplicity.
Nozzle270-280 °C
Bed100-110 °C
PETG V0
ModerateUseful for regulated or safety-sensitive applications where self-extinguishing behavior matters.
Nozzle240-260 °C
Bed80-90 °C
PA11 Carbon Fiber Black
AdvancedA strong option for lightweight but stiff functional parts where durability and a more engineering-oriented material profile matter.
Nozzle285-305 °C
Bed100-115 °C
TPU 95A
ModerateUseful for seals, protective pads, compliant fixtures, and parts that need impact absorption or controlled flexibility in day-to-day manufacturing use.
Nozzle220-240 °C
Bed50-60 °C
Get the Manufacturing Starter Pack
Case studies, 3D printing fundamentals, and the Prusament portfolio in one practical starter kit for manufacturing teams evaluating in-house additive workflows.
- Real-world manufacturing case studies
- Basics of 3D printing e-book
- Prusament materials portfolio
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EDS Robotics: Integrating 3D Printing into Every Automation Project
EDS Robotics builds specialized automation systems for sectors where downtime is not an option. By integrating Prusa 3D printers directly into their development and production workflows, they have shifted from waiting on external machine shops to validating functional elements in real-time.
Reducing Production Time from Days to Hours
Components that previously required at least two days to create via traditional machining are now produced as 3D-printed models for functional testing in just a few hours.
End-Use Parts on the Assembly Line
3D printing is used to produce final functional parts in every single automation project. These components include customized robotic gripper claws designed to handle diverse products carefully and gently, versatile camera holders, and protective covers that shield critical elements like wiring during robot movement. Depending on the application requirements, these end-use parts are manufactured from varied materials, including PLA, flexible filaments, and, more recently, carbon fiber to achieve high performance and long service life.
Specialized Food-Processing Calibration
To calibrate machines for food shapes without using real food that deteriorates, the team prints realistic plastic props (e.g., donuts, broccoli, salmon) to ensure handling precision.
“We start printing in the morning, and in the afternoon, we are already testing the parts on the machine.”
Safety, Compliance, and Data Security
Our systems are built to meet the rigorous safety and security standards of modern industrial and research environments.
What teams ask first
Before deployment
These are the operational topics that usually need sign-off from engineering, HSE, or IT departments.
Manufacturing Excellence
Prusa Research is ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certified. Our headquarters and production facilities operate under global standards for quality management, environmental responsibility, and occupational health.
Offline and Secure Operation
Protect your intellectual property with hardware designed for high-security environments. Our systems offer fully offline operation via USB or secure, encrypted local network protocols with no mandatory cloud connection.
Serviceability and Uptime
Minimize operational risk with high-availability hardware. We provide extensive documentation, readily available spare parts, and a design philosophy that allows for fast, in-house maintenance without proprietary lock-in.
Certified Product Safety
Compliance is built-in with CE, FCC, and RoHS certifications. Furthermore, our systems meet the UL 2904 standard for low particle and chemical emissions, supporting safe use in labs, offices, and schools.
Explore More Industry Applications
See how in-house 3D printing is transforming production and solving specific engineering challenges across other specialized sectors.
Automotive & Transportation
Transportation and Logistics
From custom assembly jigs and fixtures to spare parts for heavy rail and specialized aircraft components.
Architecture & Scale Modeling
Architecture and Construction
Move from CAD to physical site models faster. Iterate on structural designs with precise, durable scale prototypes.
Movie & Special Effects
Entertainment and Arts
High-detail props, durable costume elements, and complex set design for the world’s leading film and VFX studios.
Healthcare & Dental
Medical and Life Sciences
Produce patient-specific anatomical models, surgical guides, and biocompatible dental appliances with high precision and certified medical-grade materials.
Education & Research
Academic and Scientific
Empower the next generation of engineers or accelerate scientific breakthroughs with reliable hardware for complex laboratory equipment and rapid R&D prototyping.
Questions Manufacturing Teams Ask
Before you scale: Practical answers for engineering and procurement teams.
Consult with our Specialists
Provide us with your technical specifications or project goals, and our team will help you identify the right hardware and material ecosystem for your specific application.
- Recommended printer setup
- Material and workflow guidance
- Quote for your planned deployment
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